?Indian polling officials check election materials before leaving for their respective polling booths at Tezpur in India's northeastern state of Assam on April 10, 2019. India's general elections will begin on April 11. (Xinhua/stringer)
NEW DELHI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- India's election commission officials said Wednesday that all arrangements and security measures were put in place for the first phase of the country's general elections, scheduled for Thursday.
Voting for the first phase would be held on Thursday in 91 parliamentary constituencies spread over various states and union territories.
"In almost all the poll bound areas today, the staff and machinery would reach the respective polling stations, so that voting begins tomorrow as per schedule," an election commission official said.
"Security teams too will be accompanying the polling staff, and polling stations would have adequate security measures to ensure polling is held in a free and fair atmosphere."
In restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, authorities have also beefed up security across the two constituencies ahead of voting.
Situation in the region grew tense following a suicide car bomb attack on paramilitary convoy in Pulwama that killed over 40 troopers in February.
Last week Indian authorities decided to ban civilian traffic on the region's highway for two days, Sunday and Wednesday, per week to allow large movement of government forces during the upcoming elections.
The ban would remain in place until May 31.
The elections across India will be held in seven phases and the results will be announced on May 23.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to maintain power under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi is facing tough competition from Rahul Gandhi, the scion of India's powerful Nehru-Gandhi family, as well as regional parties that have forged coalition in several states.
